MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE – AQUIFER STORAGE AND 
RECOVERY: REGIONAL EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS FOR 
FURTHER COOPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES IN 
THE ARAB REGION 
Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water 
WSTA, 11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia
Page 2 
Outline 
• Managed Aquifer Recharge / 
Aquifer Storage and Recovery: 
• Why? 
• How? 
• Examples from the Arab Region 
• Conclusions and Recommendations 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 3 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Reasons for 
Managed Aquifer Recharge 
• Strategic water reserve for emergency situations 
• Short-term or seasonal peak demands 
• Reducing runoff losses 
• Preparation for drought periods / dry years 
• Vulnerability of desalination to pollution / algae 
• Constant desalination production vs. variable demands 
• Recharging / improving brackish groundwater 
• Preventing / reversing saltwater intrusion / 
controlling salinity upconing 
• Injection / infiltration of excess rain / flood waters 
• Intermediate storage of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) 
- mainly for agriculture or industrial uses 
• Avoiding potential evaporation losses from dams 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 4 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Another Attempt for a Definition 
Human enhanced and managed 
groundwater recharge 
[with the purpose of later abstraction or use either 
as a fresh groundwater resource or as hydraulic 
barrier against other threats such as seawater or 
saline water intrusion]. 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 5 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Using the Groundwater Buffer Wisely: 
Overview 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
UNESCO, 2005.
Page 6 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
What falls under 
Managed Aquifer Recharge? 
Sub type 
Induced bank infiltration 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, 
2007, www.un-igrac.org 
Technology 
AS(TR) 
ASR 
Spreading methods 
infiltration ponds & basins 
flooding 
ditch, furrow, drains 
irrigation 
sand dams 
channel spreading 
Well, shaft and borehole 
recharge 
deep well injection 
shallow well/ shaft/ pit infiltration 
Runoff harvesting 
barriers and bunds 
trenches 
Techniques referring primarily to 
getting water infiltrated 
Techniques referring 
primarily to intercepting 
the water 
In-channel modifications 
recharge dams 
sub surface dams
Page 7 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
What includes 
Managed Aquifer Recharge? 
• Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR): 
“well/borehole is used for both 
injection and recovery, costs 
are minimised and clogging is 
removed during the recovery cycle.” 
• Aquifer Storage Transfer and Recovery (ASTR): 
“Water can be injected into a borehole and 
recovered from another, some distance away, 
to increase travel time and benefit from water 
treatment capacity 
of the aquifer” 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
UNESCO, 2005.
Page 8 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Challenges: 
Technological, Scientific 
• Groundwater level rise: 
• risk of flooding, esp. in case of unconfined aquifers 
• Hydrochemical mixing: 
• risk of precipitation causing clogging of 
well screens or aquifer pore space 
• risk of mineral dissolution causing mobilization of 
harmful substances or development of cavities 
• System efficiencies: 
• injected vs. recovered volumes 
• Health risks: 
• potential risks to human health when 
injecting / infiltrating treated sewage effluent, 
mobilizing minerals from the aquifer matrix 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 9 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Challenges: 
Socio-Economic Viability 
• Investigation of economic alternatives: 
• cost of surface vs. groundwater storage 
• direct use of TSE vs. intermediate storage 
• infrastructure, access to injection / recovery sites 
• compromise between deep groundwater table to prevent flooding 
and shallow to reduce energy costs for pumping 
• alternative feasibility studies 
• environmental costs – environmental impact assessments 
• System efficiencies: 
• injected vs. recovered volumes 
• Social acceptance: 
• health and environmental risk analysis 
• awareness raising campaigns 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 10 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Challenges: 
Governance, Regulations 
• Are all necessary laws, regulations and guidelines in place 
and officially approved to ensure prevention of negative 
impacts on the groundwater, ecosystems, water users, the 
people? 
• Accountable and transparent decision making 
… and tendering processes? 
• Do we have mechanisms in place to allow for participation 
and constructive criticism? 
• International / national advisory bodies with multi-sectoral 
experiences? 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 11 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Examples 
from the Region 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
www.escwa.un.org
Page 12 
Bahrain 
Isa Town: 
Storm Water Runoff 
• Unique gravity-fed aquifer recharge 
system: 
• Gulleys, catch pits, delivery pipes, oil 
trap, filter chamber, and recharge well 
• Direct urban storm water flows from 
suitable low points to targeted Khobar 
aquifer 
• Estimated 1,389 m3 recharged 
• Water level rise 0.6 m 
• Reduced salinity 
• Necessity for monitoring potentially 
harmful substances (esp. nickel, zinc, 
copper) 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Al-Noaimi, 2010
Page 13 
Bahrain 
Potential 
Larger Scale ASR / ASTR 
• 1986: TSE recharge to Khobar aquifer 
• 2010: Dammam aquifer regional study 
• 2010: Feasibility of GW recharge with TSE 
• 2011: National approach to assessing 
reuse of TSE and MAR 
• Future TSE production: 
• 2015: 390,000 m3/day 
• 2030: 500,000 m3/day 
• Alternative uses: 
• More direct TSE reuse in agriculture 
• Potential target aquifers: Alat (A) and 
Khobar (B), both Dammam formations 
• Expected total volume of TSE to be 
stored: 24 MCM 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Al-Mannai, 2010, MoW, 2011
Page 14 
Jordan 
MAR: 
Infiltration of Floodwater 
• 2012: Cooperation JOR – GER 
• Guideline for assessment and implementation 
of MAR in (semi-) arid regions 
• Pre-feasibility study for infiltration of floodwater 
• MAR potential map for water availability & 
site suitability for two surface water basins 
• Limitations: 
• Source water availability in regions 
with rainfall of less than 200 mm/a 
• High sediment load of runoff waters 
• Operation and maintenance 
• Monitoring 
• Assess actual effectiveness 
• Involvement of local communities 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Steinel / BGR, 2012
Page 15 
Kuwait 
Dammam, 
Kuwait Group 
• 1964: Raudhatain, passive infiltration in depression 
• 1972-1973: Raudhatain, injection of desalinated water 
• 1992: Sulaibiya, injection in Dammam limestone and 
Kuwait Group 
• 200,000 m3 injected desalinated water in two wells 
(18,000 and 180,000) over 30 days 
• Dammam: Injection possible, system efficiency 
initially estimated as rel. low (10-20%) 
• Kuwait Group: severe clogging of the injection well, 
due to suspended solids and dissolved air 
• 1994: Physical properties of Dammam formation in contact 
with fresh water 
• 1997: Compatibility of desalinated water with Dammam 
formation aquifer at pilot recharge site 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Abdel-Jawad / KISR, 2008; Dawoud / EAD, 2005; 
Mukhopadhyay / KISR, 2010 and 2013
Page 16 
Kuwait 
Dammam, 
Kuwait Group 
• 2002: Numerical modeling of artificial 
recharge options for Dammam 
formation at pilot recharge site 
• 2004: Laboratory investigation 
compatibility of desalinated water, 
RO-treated wastewater with the 
Kuwait Group aquifer 
• 2010: Selection of suitable sites for 
artificial recharge 
• Kuwait Group: Mutla, Sulaibiya, 
Raudhatain areas 
• Dammam Formation: Kabd area 
• 2013: Start of KISR pilot project in Kabd, 
injecting RO-treated wastewater 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Abdel-Jawad / KISR, 2008; Dawoud / EAD, 2005; 
Mukhopadhyay / KISR, 2010 and 2013
Page 17 
Lebanon 
ARAK: Aquifer Rechargeability 
Assessment in Karst 
• Determine ability of karst aquifer to 
be artificially recharged & managed 
• Best sites for implementing artificial 
recharge from surface 
• Multi-criteria indexation analysis 
modeled on karst vulnerability 
assessment methods 
• Four independent criteria, i.e. 
Epikarst, Rock, Infiltration and Karst 
• Rechargeability index - product of 
two factors, intrinsic rechargeability 
and feasibility index 
• Damour site: salinization and 
insufficiency of resource 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Daher, 2011.
Page 18 
Oman 
Groundwater 
Recharge Dams 
• > 30 groundwater recharge dams, 
intercepting wadi runoff, allowing for 
controlled recharge downstream of dam 
• Managed to hold about 1064 MCM of 
flood waters until end of 2009 
• Substantial experiences in siting and 
dimensioning of groundwater recharge 
dams 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
Page 19 
Oman 
TSE Reuse and MAR, 
Salalah 
• Salalah Sanitary Drainage Services Co.: SSDS 
• Ownership, management, O&M of current network for 
groundwater recharge and future expansions 
• No legislation in Oman yet on TSE reuse for aquifer recharge 
• Average quantity of treated water 
• to recharge wells: 18,090 m3 
• to SSDS clients/consumers: 2,680 m3 
• 48 recharge wells 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
AlQasmi, 2011; Shammas, 2007; Wahaibi, 2011. 
Groundwater Levels
Page 20 
Qatar 
Northern Groundwater Basin, 
ASR 
• 1976: “Artificial recharge with desalted sea water to permit 
additional agricultural development appears technically 
feasible but its practicability needs to be examined further.” 
(Vecchioli) 
• 1992-1994: Feasibility study for injection of desalinated 
water in Rus and Umm er-Radhuma with positive results 
• 2012: QNFSP/KAHRAMAA: Northern groundwater basin, 
investigation of four sites to store 136 MCM for emergency 
(interruption of desalination) 
• Tertiary WW Treatment imperative for 
utilities, i.e. TSE available for 
non-potable applications such as 
agricultural irrigation possibly with 
intermediate aquifer storage 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Dawoud / EAD, 2009; MEED, 2012; Streetly, 1998; 
Vecchioli / USGS, 1976.
Page 21 
• Hydraulic barrier against seawater intrusion 
• Treated WW better suited for irrigation 
due to reduced need for fertilizers 
• Ongoing: improvement to tertiary WW treatment 
Salinity of groundwater 
prior to recharge 
Groundwater Simulation 
Salinity of groundwater 
after 3 years of recharge 
Tunisia 
Korba 
Aquifer Recharge 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Cherif, S. et al., 2013, Gaaloul, N., 2014.
Page 22 
United Arab Emirates - Sharjah 
Nizwa: 
1st Operational ASR 
• To replace seasonal peak load capacity 
• 2001-2002 feasibility study 
• 2003-2004 pilot project 
• Site characterization and evaluation, 
geophysics, trial boreholes, monitoring 
• Hydrochemical modeling: 
Mixing of injected RO product 
(250 μS/cm) and native groundwater 
• Cycles of injection - storage - recovery 
• System efficiency: 95% recovery (4th) 
24,700 m3 / 26 days injection, 30 days 
storage, 23,400 m3 / 19 days recovery 
• Cost efficiency 10% of surface storage 
• Planned for 1.8 MCM 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Labaky, W. / SWS, 2013; SEWA, 2009.
Page 23 
United Arab Emirates – Abu Dhabi 
Liwa: Strategic Water Storage and 
Recovery Project (SWSR) 
• 2003-2005: Feasibility study 
• 2006-2009: Pilot project 
• 2010-2013: Construction 
• Planned for 23 MCM of surplus 
desalinated seawater 
• Emergency water supply for Abu Dhabi 
up to three months at 181,800 m3/d 
• Extensive site characterisation, 
shallow aquifer system, 
semi-consolidated Aeolian dune sands 
• When completed: Benchmark for water 
management in arid regions 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
Koziorowski, 2012 ; Wolke, 2011.
Page 24 
Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery 
Conclusions and 
Recommendations 
1. Technical and scientific issues: 
• investing into hydrogeological science, research, 
• open dialogues between scientists from different disciplines, 
2. Socio-economic issues: 
• cost-benefit analysis, assessment of alternative scenarios, 
• optimize complex multi-faceted challenges, 
• interaction b/w economists, engineers, social and natural scientists, 
3. Legislative and regulatory issues: 
• understanding legal frameworks, regulatory approaches and needs, 
4. Regional knowledge exchanges: 
• dedicated MAR / ASR research conferences, 
• joint research programmes, 
• technical exchange visits, 
5. Mutli-sectoral advice to government authorities: 
• adequate technical, scientific and socio-economic support, 
• advisory bodies with senior experts from different disciplines. 
Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE – AQUIFER STORAGE AND 
RECOVERY: REGIONAL EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS FOR 
FURTHER COOPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES IN 
THE ARAB REGION 
Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water 
WSTA 11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 
UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia

R. Klingbeil, 2014. Managed Aquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Regional Experiences and Needs for Further Cooperation and Knowledge Exchanges in the Arab Region.

  • 1.
    MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE– AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY: REGIONAL EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS FOR FURTHER COOPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES IN THE ARAB REGION Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water WSTA, 11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia
  • 2.
    Page 2 Outline • Managed Aquifer Recharge / Aquifer Storage and Recovery: • Why? • How? • Examples from the Arab Region • Conclusions and Recommendations Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 3.
    Page 3 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Reasons for Managed Aquifer Recharge • Strategic water reserve for emergency situations • Short-term or seasonal peak demands • Reducing runoff losses • Preparation for drought periods / dry years • Vulnerability of desalination to pollution / algae • Constant desalination production vs. variable demands • Recharging / improving brackish groundwater • Preventing / reversing saltwater intrusion / controlling salinity upconing • Injection / infiltration of excess rain / flood waters • Intermediate storage of Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE) - mainly for agriculture or industrial uses • Avoiding potential evaporation losses from dams Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 4.
    Page 4 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Another Attempt for a Definition Human enhanced and managed groundwater recharge [with the purpose of later abstraction or use either as a fresh groundwater resource or as hydraulic barrier against other threats such as seawater or saline water intrusion]. Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 5.
    Page 5 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Using the Groundwater Buffer Wisely: Overview Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 UNESCO, 2005.
  • 6.
    Page 6 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery What falls under Managed Aquifer Recharge? Sub type Induced bank infiltration Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre, 2007, www.un-igrac.org Technology AS(TR) ASR Spreading methods infiltration ponds & basins flooding ditch, furrow, drains irrigation sand dams channel spreading Well, shaft and borehole recharge deep well injection shallow well/ shaft/ pit infiltration Runoff harvesting barriers and bunds trenches Techniques referring primarily to getting water infiltrated Techniques referring primarily to intercepting the water In-channel modifications recharge dams sub surface dams
  • 7.
    Page 7 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery What includes Managed Aquifer Recharge? • Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR): “well/borehole is used for both injection and recovery, costs are minimised and clogging is removed during the recovery cycle.” • Aquifer Storage Transfer and Recovery (ASTR): “Water can be injected into a borehole and recovered from another, some distance away, to increase travel time and benefit from water treatment capacity of the aquifer” Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 UNESCO, 2005.
  • 8.
    Page 8 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Challenges: Technological, Scientific • Groundwater level rise: • risk of flooding, esp. in case of unconfined aquifers • Hydrochemical mixing: • risk of precipitation causing clogging of well screens or aquifer pore space • risk of mineral dissolution causing mobilization of harmful substances or development of cavities • System efficiencies: • injected vs. recovered volumes • Health risks: • potential risks to human health when injecting / infiltrating treated sewage effluent, mobilizing minerals from the aquifer matrix Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 9.
    Page 9 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Challenges: Socio-Economic Viability • Investigation of economic alternatives: • cost of surface vs. groundwater storage • direct use of TSE vs. intermediate storage • infrastructure, access to injection / recovery sites • compromise between deep groundwater table to prevent flooding and shallow to reduce energy costs for pumping • alternative feasibility studies • environmental costs – environmental impact assessments • System efficiencies: • injected vs. recovered volumes • Social acceptance: • health and environmental risk analysis • awareness raising campaigns Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 10.
    Page 10 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Challenges: Governance, Regulations • Are all necessary laws, regulations and guidelines in place and officially approved to ensure prevention of negative impacts on the groundwater, ecosystems, water users, the people? • Accountable and transparent decision making … and tendering processes? • Do we have mechanisms in place to allow for participation and constructive criticism? • International / national advisory bodies with multi-sectoral experiences? Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 11.
    Page 11 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Examples from the Region Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 www.escwa.un.org
  • 12.
    Page 12 Bahrain Isa Town: Storm Water Runoff • Unique gravity-fed aquifer recharge system: • Gulleys, catch pits, delivery pipes, oil trap, filter chamber, and recharge well • Direct urban storm water flows from suitable low points to targeted Khobar aquifer • Estimated 1,389 m3 recharged • Water level rise 0.6 m • Reduced salinity • Necessity for monitoring potentially harmful substances (esp. nickel, zinc, copper) Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Al-Noaimi, 2010
  • 13.
    Page 13 Bahrain Potential Larger Scale ASR / ASTR • 1986: TSE recharge to Khobar aquifer • 2010: Dammam aquifer regional study • 2010: Feasibility of GW recharge with TSE • 2011: National approach to assessing reuse of TSE and MAR • Future TSE production: • 2015: 390,000 m3/day • 2030: 500,000 m3/day • Alternative uses: • More direct TSE reuse in agriculture • Potential target aquifers: Alat (A) and Khobar (B), both Dammam formations • Expected total volume of TSE to be stored: 24 MCM Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Al-Mannai, 2010, MoW, 2011
  • 14.
    Page 14 Jordan MAR: Infiltration of Floodwater • 2012: Cooperation JOR – GER • Guideline for assessment and implementation of MAR in (semi-) arid regions • Pre-feasibility study for infiltration of floodwater • MAR potential map for water availability & site suitability for two surface water basins • Limitations: • Source water availability in regions with rainfall of less than 200 mm/a • High sediment load of runoff waters • Operation and maintenance • Monitoring • Assess actual effectiveness • Involvement of local communities Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Steinel / BGR, 2012
  • 15.
    Page 15 Kuwait Dammam, Kuwait Group • 1964: Raudhatain, passive infiltration in depression • 1972-1973: Raudhatain, injection of desalinated water • 1992: Sulaibiya, injection in Dammam limestone and Kuwait Group • 200,000 m3 injected desalinated water in two wells (18,000 and 180,000) over 30 days • Dammam: Injection possible, system efficiency initially estimated as rel. low (10-20%) • Kuwait Group: severe clogging of the injection well, due to suspended solids and dissolved air • 1994: Physical properties of Dammam formation in contact with fresh water • 1997: Compatibility of desalinated water with Dammam formation aquifer at pilot recharge site Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Abdel-Jawad / KISR, 2008; Dawoud / EAD, 2005; Mukhopadhyay / KISR, 2010 and 2013
  • 16.
    Page 16 Kuwait Dammam, Kuwait Group • 2002: Numerical modeling of artificial recharge options for Dammam formation at pilot recharge site • 2004: Laboratory investigation compatibility of desalinated water, RO-treated wastewater with the Kuwait Group aquifer • 2010: Selection of suitable sites for artificial recharge • Kuwait Group: Mutla, Sulaibiya, Raudhatain areas • Dammam Formation: Kabd area • 2013: Start of KISR pilot project in Kabd, injecting RO-treated wastewater Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Abdel-Jawad / KISR, 2008; Dawoud / EAD, 2005; Mukhopadhyay / KISR, 2010 and 2013
  • 17.
    Page 17 Lebanon ARAK: Aquifer Rechargeability Assessment in Karst • Determine ability of karst aquifer to be artificially recharged & managed • Best sites for implementing artificial recharge from surface • Multi-criteria indexation analysis modeled on karst vulnerability assessment methods • Four independent criteria, i.e. Epikarst, Rock, Infiltration and Karst • Rechargeability index - product of two factors, intrinsic rechargeability and feasibility index • Damour site: salinization and insufficiency of resource Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Daher, 2011.
  • 18.
    Page 18 Oman Groundwater Recharge Dams • > 30 groundwater recharge dams, intercepting wadi runoff, allowing for controlled recharge downstream of dam • Managed to hold about 1064 MCM of flood waters until end of 2009 • Substantial experiences in siting and dimensioning of groundwater recharge dams Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 19.
    Page 19 Oman TSE Reuse and MAR, Salalah • Salalah Sanitary Drainage Services Co.: SSDS • Ownership, management, O&M of current network for groundwater recharge and future expansions • No legislation in Oman yet on TSE reuse for aquifer recharge • Average quantity of treated water • to recharge wells: 18,090 m3 • to SSDS clients/consumers: 2,680 m3 • 48 recharge wells Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 AlQasmi, 2011; Shammas, 2007; Wahaibi, 2011. Groundwater Levels
  • 20.
    Page 20 Qatar Northern Groundwater Basin, ASR • 1976: “Artificial recharge with desalted sea water to permit additional agricultural development appears technically feasible but its practicability needs to be examined further.” (Vecchioli) • 1992-1994: Feasibility study for injection of desalinated water in Rus and Umm er-Radhuma with positive results • 2012: QNFSP/KAHRAMAA: Northern groundwater basin, investigation of four sites to store 136 MCM for emergency (interruption of desalination) • Tertiary WW Treatment imperative for utilities, i.e. TSE available for non-potable applications such as agricultural irrigation possibly with intermediate aquifer storage Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Dawoud / EAD, 2009; MEED, 2012; Streetly, 1998; Vecchioli / USGS, 1976.
  • 21.
    Page 21 •Hydraulic barrier against seawater intrusion • Treated WW better suited for irrigation due to reduced need for fertilizers • Ongoing: improvement to tertiary WW treatment Salinity of groundwater prior to recharge Groundwater Simulation Salinity of groundwater after 3 years of recharge Tunisia Korba Aquifer Recharge Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Cherif, S. et al., 2013, Gaaloul, N., 2014.
  • 22.
    Page 22 UnitedArab Emirates - Sharjah Nizwa: 1st Operational ASR • To replace seasonal peak load capacity • 2001-2002 feasibility study • 2003-2004 pilot project • Site characterization and evaluation, geophysics, trial boreholes, monitoring • Hydrochemical modeling: Mixing of injected RO product (250 μS/cm) and native groundwater • Cycles of injection - storage - recovery • System efficiency: 95% recovery (4th) 24,700 m3 / 26 days injection, 30 days storage, 23,400 m3 / 19 days recovery • Cost efficiency 10% of surface storage • Planned for 1.8 MCM Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Labaky, W. / SWS, 2013; SEWA, 2009.
  • 23.
    Page 23 UnitedArab Emirates – Abu Dhabi Liwa: Strategic Water Storage and Recovery Project (SWSR) • 2003-2005: Feasibility study • 2006-2009: Pilot project • 2010-2013: Construction • Planned for 23 MCM of surplus desalinated seawater • Emergency water supply for Abu Dhabi up to three months at 181,800 m3/d • Extensive site characterisation, shallow aquifer system, semi-consolidated Aeolian dune sands • When completed: Benchmark for water management in arid regions Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 Koziorowski, 2012 ; Wolke, 2011.
  • 24.
    Page 24 ManagedAquifer Recharge – Aquifer Storage and Recovery Conclusions and Recommendations 1. Technical and scientific issues: • investing into hydrogeological science, research, • open dialogues between scientists from different disciplines, 2. Socio-economic issues: • cost-benefit analysis, assessment of alternative scenarios, • optimize complex multi-faceted challenges, • interaction b/w economists, engineers, social and natural scientists, 3. Legislative and regulatory issues: • understanding legal frameworks, regulatory approaches and needs, 4. Regional knowledge exchanges: • dedicated MAR / ASR research conferences, • joint research programmes, • technical exchange visits, 5. Mutli-sectoral advice to government authorities: • adequate technical, scientific and socio-economic support, • advisory bodies with senior experts from different disciplines. Water Science and Technology Association (WSTA) ,11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014
  • 25.
    MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE– AQUIFER STORAGE AND RECOVERY: REGIONAL EXPERIENCES AND NEEDS FOR FURTHER COOPERATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES IN THE ARAB REGION Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water WSTA 11th Gulf Water Conference, Muscat, Oman, 20-22 Oct 2014 UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia